Energy transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A motor and a generator both comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein said rotor and said stator of both said motor and said generator can rotate about a common axis, and wherein both said stators are coupled, and both said rotors are coupled, for one to induce rotation to the other, and wherein the rotation energy may be transferred to a system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of PCT patent application serialnumber PCT/CA2004/001853 filed Oct. 21, 2004, designating the UnitedStates, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by referenceand claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application 60/512,696filed on Oct. 21, 2003, the specification of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to generators and motors, and morespecifically, to configurations of generators and motors with tworotating parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines used to transform other forms of energy (such as heat) intomechanical energy are known as engines. The electric motor transformselectrical energy into mechanical energy. Its operation is the reverseof that of the electric generator, which transforms the mechanicalenergy (for example of falling water or steam) into electrical energy.

The generator operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction.When a conductor passes through a magnetic field, a voltage is inducedacross the ends of the conductor. The generator is simply a mechanicalarrangement for moving the conductor and leading the current produced bythe voltage to an external circuit, where it actuates devices thatrequire electricity.

In the simplest form of generator the conductor is an open coil of wirerotating between the poles of a permanent magnet. During a singlerotation, one side of the coil passes through the magnetic field firstin one direction and then in the other, so that the induced current isalternating current (AC), moving first in one direction, then in theother. Each end of the coil is attached to a separate metal slip ringthat rotates with the coil. Brushes that rest on the slip rings areattached to the external circuit. Thus the current flows from the coilto the slip rings, then through the brushes to the external circuit.

In order to obtain direct current (DC), i.e., current that flows in onlyone direction, a commutator is used in place of slip rings. Thecommutator is a single slip ring split into left and right halves thatare insulated from each other and are attached to opposite ends of thecoil. It allows current to leave the generator through the brushes inonly one direction. This current pulsates, going from no flow to maximumflow and back again to no flow. A practical DC generator, with manycoils and with many segments in the commutator, gives a steadiercurrent. There are also several magnets in a practical generator.

In any generator, the whole assembly carrying the coils is called thearmature, or rotor, while the stationary parts constitute the stator.Except in the case of the magneto, which uses permanent magnets, AC andDC generators use electromagnets. Field current for the electromagnetsis most often DC from an external source. The term dynamo is often usedfor the DC generator; the generator in automotive applications isusually a dynamo. An AC generator is called an alternator.

Conventional electric motors work the inverse way, i.e. transformingelectrical energy into mechanical energy via induction. When an electriccurrent is passed through a wire loop that is in a magnetic field, theloop will rotate and the rotating motion is transmitted to a shaft,providing useful mechanical work. The traditional electric motorconsists of a conducting loop that is mounted on a rotatable shaft.Current fed in by carbon blocks, called brushes, enters the loop throughtwo slip rings. The magnetic field around the loop, supplied by an ironcore field magnet, causes the loop to turn when current is flowingthrough it.

In an alternating current (AC) motor, the current flowing in the loop issynchronized to reverse direction at the moment when the plane of theloop is perpendicular to the magnetic field and there is no magneticforce exerted on the loop. Because the momentum of the loop carries itaround until the current is again supplied, continuous motion results.In alternating current induction motors the current passing through theloop does not come from an external source but is induced as the looppasses through the magnetic field.

In a direct current (DC) motor, a device known as a split ringcommutator switches the direction of the current each half rotation tomaintain the same direction of motion of the shaft. In any motor thestationary parts constitute the stator, and the assembly carrying theloops is called the rotor, or armature. As it is easy to control thespeed of direct-current motors by varying the field or armature voltage,these are used where speed control is necessary. The speed of ACinduction motors is set roughly by the motor construction and thefrequency of the current; a mechanical transmission must therefore beused to change speed. In addition, each different design fits only oneapplication. However, AC induction motors are cheaper and simpler thanDC motors. To obtain greater flexibility, the rotor circuit can beconnected to various external control circuits.

Brushless DC motors are constructed in a reverse fashion from thetraditional form. The rotor contains a permanent magnet and the statorhas the conducting coil of wire. By the elimination of brushes, thesemotors offer reduced maintenance, no spark hazard, and better speedcontrol. Synchronous motors turn at a speed exactly proportional to thefrequency. The very largest motors are synchronous motors with DCpassing through the rotor.

The efficiency of any machine measures the degree to which friction andother factors reduce the actual work output of the machine from itstheoretical maximum. A frictionless machine would have an efficiency of100%. A machine with an efficiency of 20% has an output only one fifthof its theoretical output.

Generators and motors have a limited efficiency ratio which typicallydecreases with the increase in temperature resulting from a highfrequency of revolutions of the rotor during operation. Hence, upgradesto generators and motors are continually sought to increase efficiency,such as providing fans to decrease operating temperature.

Some electrical machines, either generators or motors, are built withtwo rotating parts in order to yield a better efficiency ratio. Anexample of such a machine with a rotational stator and a rotationalrotor is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,433,451 to Cherciu.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A motor and a generator both comprising a rotor and a stator, whereinsaid rotor and said stator of both said motor and said generator canrotate about a common axis, and wherein both said stators are coupled,and both said rotors are coupled, for one to induce rotation to theother, and wherein the rotation energy may be transferred to a system.

According to one broad aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an energy transfer apparatus for operating on electrical powercomprising a motor comprising a rotatable stator and a rotatable rotor,the rotor being supported for rotation about a common central axis withsaid stator under the influence of electromagnetic fields developed inthe stator; a generator comprising a rotatable stator and a rotatablerotor, the rotor being supported for rotation about a common centralaxis with said stator under the influence of electromagnetic fieldsdeveloped in the stator; means physically coupling at least one of therotor and the stator of the motor to at least one of the rotor and thestator of the generator; means for applying power from an externalsource to the stator of the motor; and at least one output shaft coupledto be driven by one of the stator and the rotor of the generator,whereby the output shaft can be driven at speeds in excess of the speedof the motor.

According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for transferring energy, comprising: providing a motorcomprising a rotatable stator and a rotatable rotor, the rotor beingsupported for rotation about a common central axis with said statorunder the influence of electromagnetic fields developed in the stator;providing a generator comprising a rotatable stator and a rotatablerotor, the rotor being supported for rotation about a common centralaxis with said stator under the influence of electromagnetic fieldsdeveloped in the stator; physically coupling at least one of the rotorand the stator of the motor to at least one of the rotor and the statorof the generator; applying power from an external source to the statorof the motor; and coupling at least one output shaft to be driven by oneof the stator and the rotor of the generator, whereby the output shaftcan be driven at speeds in excess of the speed of the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in combinationwith the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a generator for use with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a generator coupled to a motoraccording to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coupled motor and generator of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a generator coupled to a motoraccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the generator coupled to the motor ofFIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, as opposed to a conventional generator wherethe stator is stationary and the rotor is mounted to the stator so as tobe pivotally mounted thereabout, a bi-rotary generator (herein referredto simply as ‘generator’) is illustrated, comprising a rotor 101 and astator 102 that can both independently pivot about a longitudinal axis.The term stator is used for the outer rotational cylinder by analogywith a conventional generator, even though the stator used can rotate.In operation, the rotor and the stator are coupled by electromagneticinduction. The rotation of the rotor 101 relatively to the stator 102produces an electrical current which may be used for many applications.

A bracket is affixed to the stator 102 and has a stator shaft 103. Therotor 101 also comprises a rotor shaft 107. The bracket pivots with thestator 102, whereas rotor shaft 107 pivots with the rotor 101. Thestator 102 and rotor 101 pivot concentrically around a central axis 112via bearings 104, 105, 106, 108. Spacers 109, 110 are also used.

In FIG. 2, the generator of FIG. 1 is shown at the bottom, with itspivoting stator 102 and rotor 101. A motor is also shown at the top,identical to the generator. In the present description, the motor hasbeen depicted as being identical to the alternator for simplicity,although generators used in the art like alternators and dynamos havesizes and configurations which are optimized to produce electricalenergy instead of optimized to produce mechanical energy like motors.The motor comprises stator 112 and rotor 113, stator shaft 111, rotorshaft 119, bearings 115, 116, 117, 118, and spacer 114.

In an embodiment of the invention, the motor stator 112 is coupled tothe generator stator 102 and the motor rotor 101 is coupled to thegenerator rotor 113. When the motor is activated, the fact that bothsets of coupled components can pivot produces new and unexpectedresults.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the motor and generatorcoupling according to FIG. 2 to give a better understanding. This typeof coupling is referred to as the stator-stator/rotor-rotorconfiguration.

The preferred coupling means are belts, but many other types of couplingmeans may be used, like gears and a chain. The generator and motor mayshare the same axis, thus sharing the same rotor shaft and the samestator body. Furthermore, gear ratios may be used to vary the quantityof rotations of a stator or rotor for each rotation of the correspondingstator or rotor.

FIG. 4 illustrates the motor and stator of FIG. 2 coupled in anotherway. The motor is at the top of the figure and the generator at thebottom. For simplicity of reference, this configuration will be referredto as the stator-rotor configuration. The motor stator shaft is coupledboth to the generator stator shaft, in a direct manner, and to thegenerator rotor shaft in an inverse rotation manner. The motor rotor iscoupled to the generator stator.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 4. It iseasier to see the different couplings between motor and generator. Theinverse rotation is achieved by the illustrated planetary gear system.

EXAMPLE

A bi-rotary 1 force motor was coupled to a bi-rotary generator with bothrotors and both stators directly coupled by two independent straps in aratio of 1:1. At first, the generator output was not subjected toelectrical resistance, and when the motor was powered, the rotorsaccelerated to high RPM. The stators were pivoting very slowly in theopposite rotational direction. In fact, since the stators are heavierthan the rotors, and their mass is spaced further from the rotationaxis, they have a much higher moment of inertia and do substantially donot pivot.

Then, resistance in the form of light bulbs was added to the generatorcoils. The angular speed of the stators began increasing, whereas theangular speed of the rotors began decreasing accordingly. Although thespeed differential between rotors and stators was kept approximatelyconstant, the kinetic energy of the system increased due to the flywheeleffect of the high moment of inertia pivoting of the stators.

Further increasing resistance at the generator resulted in a furtherincrease of stator angular velocity, and further decrease of rotorangular velocity until the rotors came to a halt, and began spinning inthe same direction as the stators with increasing velocity. The velocitydifferential was, however kept fairly constant.

Additionally, the motor stator was coupled to a rotating shaft in aratio of coupling of 5:1. The flywheel effect of the motor stator wassuch that it was impossible for an adult man to hold the shaft with onehand. It is believed that using a second generator upon such a shaftcould produce even more energy and further increase efficiency.

After a certain period of time, with the resistance kept constant, thevelocity of the stators and rotors reached a certain equilibrium andstability. Then the motor was shut down. It took a certain period oftime for the stators to be taken to a halt. Holding the statorsimmobile, the motor was turned back on and the rotors began pivotinganew. Once their equilibrium speed was reached, the amperage wasmeasured to be 9A. When the stators were released, they began pivotingand the energy consumption began decreasing. Once the stator reached itsmaximum speed, the energy consumption had decreased to 7A.

Use of the above described system may be adapted to increase efficiencyof mechanical to electrical energy conversion apparatus, likehydroelectric, wind, or gas power plants.

The 1F motor used in the experiment could be replaced by a much strongermotor, and a correspondingly bigger generator. The flywheel effect ofinertia accumulated energy of the stator of such a generator would begreatly increased. The energy accumulated in the stators may be used asa flywheel for conserving steady current output if a power surge isexperienced in the motor, or to otherwise maintain steadiness. Thestator energy may also be used to power a secondary generator, acompressor, an hydraulic pump, a fan, etc. The rotation of both movingparts of motors and alternators provide a better heat dissipation than aconventional generator which results in an increased production ofenergy.

1. An energy transfer apparatus for operating on electrical powercomprising: a motor comprising a rotatable stator and a rotatable rotor,the rotor of the motor being supported for rotation about a commoncentral axis with the stator of the motor under the influence ofelectromagnetic fields developed in the stator of the motor; a generatorcomprising a rotatable stator and a rotatable rotor, the rotor of thegenerator being supported for rotation about a common central axis withthe stator of the generator under the influence of electromagneticfields developed in the stator of the generator; means physicallycoupling at least one of the rotor and the stator of the motor to atleast one of the rotor and the stator of the generator; means forapplying power from an external source to the stator of the motor; andat least one output shaft coupled to be driven by one of the stator andthe rotor of the generator, whereby the output shaft can be driven atspeeds in excess of the speed of the motor.
 2. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein said at least one output shaft is used by a systemto be energized.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidsystem is one of a compressor, a hydraulic pump, a fan, and a generator.4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external source isone of a wind powered turbine and a hydroelectric turbine.
 5. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor stator is coupled tothe generator stator and the motor rotor is coupled to the generatorrotor.
 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor statoris coupled both to the generator stator, in a direct manner, and to thegenerator rotor in an inverse rotation manner and the motor rotor iscoupled to the generator stator.
 7. A method for transferring energy,comprising: providing a motor comprising a rotatable stator and arotatable rotor, the rotor of the motor being supported for rotationabout a common central axis with the stator of the motor under theinfluence of electromagnetic fields developed in the stator of themotor; providing a generator comprising a rotatable stator and arotatable rotor, the rotor of the generator being supported for rotationabout a common central axis with the stator of the generator under theinfluence of electromagnetic fields developed in the stator of thegenerator; physically coupling at least one of the rotor and the statorof the motor to at least one of the rotor and the stator of thegenerator; applying power from an external source to the stator of themotor; and coupling at least one output shaft to be driven by one of thestator and the rotor of the generator, whereby the output shaft can bedriven at speeds in excess of the speed of the motor.
 8. The method asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the motor stator is coupled to the generatorstator and the motor rotor is coupled to the generator rotor.
 9. Themethod as claimed in claim 7, wherein the motor stator is coupled bothto the generator stator, in a direct manner, and to the generator rotorin an inverse rotation manner and the motor rotor is coupled to thegenerator stator.